Our Prison Foster Program

“Monroe Corrections Kitten Connections” is Saving Cats and People

At Purrfect Pals, we believe that EVERY cat matters — not just the young and healthy. We strive to help the old, fragile, injured, newborn, stray and unwanted cats and kittens. Finding acceptable foster care for semi-feral and extremely shy cats and kittens needing socialization and human contact is an ongoing challenge for Purrfect Pals.

In the spring of 2006, that challenge was met by an unlikely group of individuals in the offenders at the Monroe Correctional Complex-Special Offender Unit (MCC-SOU). SOU is a psychiatric prison unit contained within MCC. The SOU E living unit houses 96 mentally ill offenders who enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to provide foster care for the young and/or feral kittens. Monroe Corrections Kitten Connections (MCKC) was developed as a way to provide quality kitten foster care while simultaneously motivating offenders to make positive life changes.

To qualify for the program, E Unit offenders must meet very stringent criteria which include exemplary behavior, good hygiene, psychiatric stability, a pro-social attitude and a high level of participation in correctional programs. Once screened for eligibility, all prospective candidates are interviewed by the unit staff. If approved, the new foster parent receives training from our Foster Care Manager on how to care for their kittens.

This undeniably unique partnership has been a success with enormous benefits for both Purrfect Pals and the offenders of E Unit. The MCKC Program has reduced offender idleness, taught offenders about responsibility and increased their self esteem. Since the program’s inception, offenders have been motivated to enroll in school, obtain jobs, obey unit rules and improve their hygiene so that they may become MCKC participants. The presence of animals on E Unit has added a new calmness to E Unit’s therapeutic milieu and strengthened its community spirit.

The amazing partnership between Purrfect Pals and MCC has made this wonderful program possible. Countless kittens, that might otherwise have been euthanized, have all been altered and adopted. Purrfect Pals pays for all the costs related to the program such as food, litter, crates and veterinarian care.

Please be sure to visit the Purrfect Pals News and Media page to check out articles and videos featuring the “Monroe Corrections Kitten Connections” program!